Heath Ledger

Biography

Brokeback Mania

Brokeback Mountain (left) premieres in the U.S., and Ledger's performance as the tortured, strong-and-silent Ennis Del Mar earns raves. The LosAngelesTimes calls the actor "breathtaking," adding that he "brings this film alive by going so deeply into character, you wonder if he'll be able to come back." Director Ang Lee tells PEOPLE that Ledger's performance is reminiscent of "a young [Marlon] Brando."

2006

March 05

Oscar Upset

Brokeback Mountain comes into Oscar night with eight nominations, including his-n-hers nods for Ledger and Williams. (He's up for Best Actor; she's in the running for Best Supporting Actress.) The couple shine on the red carpet (right), but the evening proves to be a disappointment. The movie's stars are shut out of all acting awards, and Crash pulls off an amazing come-from-behind win for Best Picture. Lee does, however, win Best Director.

2007

October

Surprise Split

It seemed Ledger couldn't stop gushing about his home life, calling Williams "the perfect mom" on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006. But in October 2007, Ledger and Williams announce their split. Soon after, Ledger is spotted with former supermodel Helena Christensen. But she is quick to shoot down rumors of romance. "It's so annoying," she tells PEOPLE. "I can't even tell you."

Joker's Wild

Ledger's portrayal of the Joker in TheDarkKnight – the sequel to 2005's BatmanBegins starring Christian Bale – generates buzz for Ledger. "It's the most fun I've had with a character and probably will ever have," Ledger says. When the film is released after Ledger's death, it shatters box office records and earns him an Oscar nomination and Golden Globe award for best supporting actor.

Michelle Breaks Her Silence

After Ledger's private memorial, Michelle Williamssays in a statement, "My heart is broken...I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day." That same week, PEOPLE reveals heartbreaking details about Ledger's fear of losing Matilda and how his drug use affected his relationship with Williams.

2009

February 22

Heath Wins An Oscar

Ledger's family accepts his posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in TheDarkKnight. "Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved," his mother Sally Bell, who stood alongside Heath's father Kim Ledger and sister Kate, says while accepting his Oscar. Ledger's daughter Matilda will inherit his Oscar when she turns 18.